Wednesday, April 7, 2010

11:08 AM

Outgoing Doyle administration Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel is expected to announce later this month that he's running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, sources say.

Asked for a comment Tuesday night, Leinenkugel responded Wednesday morning: "I will be making an announcement on my future plans within the next two to three weeks. Thanks for checking back with me."

Leinenkugel announced Tuesday that he was leaving his post at the end of this week to pursue a new opportunity. Leinenkugel said in an interview late Tuesday afternoon that he couldn't announce what he was doing next for another two to three weeks, but said he was "tremendously excited" and it was something he couldn't finish out his term and pursue.

At that time, Leinenkugel declined to comment on speculation that he may run for public office.

But sources told WisPolitcs that Leinenkugel will run for the Senate, seeking the GOP nomination to take on U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton. He'd join Madison-area developer Terrence Wall, Watertown businessman David Westlake and maybe former governor and national health secretary Tommy Thompson if he decides to jump in. Thompson would still be the favorite -- even with Leinenkugel's entrance into the field, political observers said.

A Thompson supporter said the former governor is aware of Leinenkugel's intentions to get into the primary, but said it won't affect his decision.

Thompson is on vacation with his family this week as he weighs whether to get into the primary. The ex GOP guv and HHS secretary has said he planned to discuss a bid with his family during the trip to gauge their support.

"Frankly, it doesn't matter who's considering it," said former Thompson aide and Commerce Secretary Bill McCoshen. "That won't have any impact on the governor's final decision."

Leinenkugel took shots Wednesday from both parties over his decision.

The Wall Campaign got in a shot in a press release welcoming Leinenkugel to the race by noting Wisconsin's unemployment doubled while he has been Gov. Jim Doyle's Commerce secretary. Wall also tied Leinenkugel to Doyle tax increases and the state's no-bid contract for a Spanish company to build high-speed rail cars for Wisconsin.

The Dem Party, meanwhile, noted Leinenkugel headlined a fundraiser for Dem state Rep. Andy Jorgensen just four months ago and questioned if the GOP would welcome "a cheerleader for the stimulus that they oppose."